Method and apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from recording disc

ABSTRACT

A recording disc has a lead-in area and a data area. A scrambled version of a SID code word is read out from the lead-in area of the disc. The SID code word represents a producer of the disc. The readout scrambled version is de-scrambled to recover the SID code word. The recovered SID code word is collated with reference SID code words to decide whether or not the disc is legitimate. Main information is read out from the data area of the disc when it is decided that the disc is legitimate. Readout of the main information from the data area of the disc is inhibited when it is decided that the disc is not legitimate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a method and an apparatus forreproducing information from a recording disc such as a DVD (digitalvideo disc), a CD (compact disc), or a CD-ROM (compact disc read onlymemory). Also, this invention relates to a method and an apparatus forrecording information on a recording disc. Furthermore, this inventionrelates to a recording disc.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] According to a conceivable system (which is not prior art to thisinvention) for copyright protection regarding main information on arecording disc, copyright management information is scrambled, and thescrambled version of the copyright management information is recorded ona legitimate disc. Also, main information is recorded on the legitimatedisc. The copyright management information is designed so that a portionthereof forms a playback permission key. Thus, a legitimate disc storesa playback permission key. On the other hand, an illegal copy disc or apirated disc lacks a playback permission key.

[0005] A disc player according to the conceivable system is designed tostart the reproduction of main information from a recording disc onlywhen a playback permission key is successfully detected. Specifically,when a legitimate disc is placed in the disc player, the disc playerreads out the scrambled version of copyright management information fromthe legitimate disc and de-scrambles it into the original copyrightmanagement information. The disc player detects a playback permissionkey in the copyright management information. Then, the disc playerstarts to reproduce main information from the legitimate disc inresponse to successful detection of the playback permission key.

[0006] When a pirated disc is placed in the disc player according to theconceivable system, the disc player read's out information correspondingto copyright management information and subjects it to a de-scramblingprocess. Since the pirated disc lacks copyright management informationand the de-scrambling resultant information differs from the copyrightmanagement information, the disc player does not detect any playbackpermission key. Accordingly, the disc player will not start to reproducemain information from the pirated disc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is a first object of this invention to provide an improvedmethod of reproducing information from a recording disc.

[0008] It is a second object of this invention to provide an improvedapparatus for reproducing information from a recording disc.

[0009] It is a third object of this invention to provide an improvedmethod of recording information on a recording disc.

[0010] It is a fourth object of this invention to provide an improvedapparatus for recording information on a recording disc.

[0011] It is a fifth object of this invention to provide an improvedrecording disc.

[0012] A first aspect of this invention provides a method of reproducinginformation from a recording disc having a lead-in area and a data area,comprising the steps of reading out a scrambled version of a SID codeword from the lead-in area of the disc, the SID code word representing aproducer of the disc; de-scrambling the readout scrambled version torecover the SID code word; collate the recovered SID code word withreference SID code words to decide whether or not the disc islegitimate; reading out main information from the data area of the discwhen it is decided that the disc is legitimate; and inhibiting readoutof the main information from the data area of the disc when it isdecided that the disc is not legitimate.

[0013] A second aspect of this invention is based on the first aspectthereof, and provides a method further comprising the steps of readingout a copy inhibition code word from the lead-in area of the disc;deciding whether or not the readout copy inhibition code word indicatescopy inhibition; and inhibiting readout of the main information from thedata area of the disc in cases where the readout copy inhibition codeword indicates the copy inhibition even though it is decided that thedisc is legitimate.

[0014] A third aspect of this invention provides a method of reproducinginformation from a recording disc having a post cutting area and a dataarea, comprising the steps of reading out a scrambled version of a SIDcode word from the post cutting area of the disc, the SID code wordrepresenting a producer of the disc; de-scrambling the readout scrambledversion to recover the SID code word; collating the recovered SID codeword with reference SID code words to decide whether or not the disc islegitimate; reading out main information from the data area of the discwhen it is decided that the disc is legitimate; and inhibiting readoutof the main information from the data area of the disc when it isdecided that the disc is not legitimate.

[0015] A fourth aspect of this invention provides a method ofreproducing information from a recording disc having a TOC area and adata area, comprising the steps of reading out a scrambled version of aSID code word from the TOC area of the disc, the SID code wordrepresenting a producer of the disc; de-scrambling the readout scrambledversion to recover the SID code word; collating the recovered SID codeword with reference SID code words to decide whether or not the disc islegitimate; reading out main information from the data area of the discwhen it is decided that the disc is legitimate; and inhibiting readoutof the main information from the data area of the disc when it isdecided that the disc is not legitimate.

[0016] A fifth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus forreproducing information from a recording disc having a lead-in area anda data area, comprising first means for reading out a scrambled versionof a SID code word from the lead-in area of the disc, the SID code wordrepresenting a producer of the disc; second means for de-scrambling thescrambled version read out by the first means to recover the SID codeword; third means for collating the SID code word recovered by thesecond means with reference SID code words to decide whether or not thedisc is legitimate; fourth means for reading out main information fromthe data area of the disc when the third means decides that the disc islegitimate; and fifth means for inhibiting readout of the maininformation from the data area of the disc when the third means decidesthat the disc is not legitimate.

[0017] A sixth aspect of this invention is based on the fifth aspectthereof, and provides an apparatus further comprising sixth means forreading out a copy inhibition code word from the lead-in area of thedisc; seventh means for deciding whether or not the copy inhibition codeword read out by the sixth means indicates copy inhibition; and eighthmeans for inhibiting readout of the main information from the data areaof the disc in cases where the seventh means decides that the copyinhibition code word indicates the copy inhibition even though the thirdmeans decides that the disc is legitimate.

[0018] A seventh aspect of this invention provides an apparatus forreproducing information from a recording disc having a post cutting areaand a data area, comprising first means for reading out a scrambledversion of a SID code word from the post cutting area of the disc, theSID code word representing a producer of the disc; second means forde-scrambling the scrambled version read out by the first means torecover the SID code word; third means for collating the SID code wordrecovered by the second means with reference SID code words to decidewhether or not the disc is legitimate; fourth means for reading out maininformation from the data area of the disc when the third means decidesthat the disc is legitimate; and fifth means for inhibiting readout ofthe main information from the data area of the disc when the third meansdecides that the disc is not legitimate.

[0019] An eighth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus forreproducing information from a recording disc having a TOC area and adata area, comprising first means for reading out a scrambled version ofa SID code word from the TOC area of the disc, the SID code wordrepresenting a producer of the disc; second means for de-scrambling thescrambled version read out by the first means to recover the SID codeword; third means for collating the SID code word recovered by thesecond means with reference SID code words to decide whether or not thedisc is legitimate; fourth means for reading out main information fromthe data area of the disc when the third means decides that the disc islegitimate; and fifth means for inhibiting readout of the maininformation from the data area of the disc when the third means decidesthat the disc is not legitimate.

[0020] A ninth aspect of this invention provides a method of recordingcopyright information on a recording disc, comprising the steps ofscrambling a SID code word into a scrambled version, the SID code wordrepresenting a producer of the disc; and recording the scrambled versionof the SID code word on a lead-in area of the disc.

[0021] A tenth aspect of this invention is based on the ninth aspectthereof, and provides a method further comprising the steps ofscrambling an ISRC code word into a scrambled version, the ISRC codeword representing a source of a program recorded on the disc; andrecording the scrambled version of the ISRC code word on the lead-inarea of the disc.

[0022] An eleventh aspect of this invention provides a method ofrecording copyright information on a recording disc, comprising thesteps of scrambling a SID code word into a scrambled version, the SIDcode word representing a producer of the disc; and writing the scrambledversion of the SID code word on the disc by laser cutting.

[0023] A twelfth aspect of this invention provides a method of recordingcopyright information on a recording disc, comprising the steps ofscrambling a SID code word into a scrambled version, the SID code wordrepresenting a producer of the disc; and recording the scrambled versionof the SID code word on a TOC area of the disc.

[0024] A thirteenth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus forrecording copyright information on a recording disc, comprising firstmeans for scrambling a SID code word into a scrambled version, the SIDcode word representing a producer of the disc; and second means forrecording the scrambled version of the SID code word on a lead-in areaof the disc.

[0025] A fourteenth aspect of this invention is based on the thirteenthaspect thereof, and provides an apparatus further comprising third meansfor scrambling an ISRC code word into a scrambled version, the ISRC codeword representing a source of a program recorded on the disc; and fourthmeans for recording the scrambled version of the ISRC code word on thelead-in area of the disc.

[0026] A fifteenth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus forrecording copyright information on a recording disc, comprising firstmeans for scrambling a SID code word into a scrambled version, the SIDcode word representing a producer of the disc; and second means forwriting the scrambled version of the SID code word on the disc by lasercutting.

[0027] A sixteenth aspect of this invention provides an apparatus forrecording copyright information on a recording disc, comprising firstmeans for scrambling a SID code word into a scrambled version, the SIDcode word representing a producer of the disc; and second means forrecording the scrambled version of the SID code word on a TOC area ofthe disc.

[0028] A seventeenth aspect of this invention provides a recording dischaving a lead-in area storing a scrambled version of a SID code wordwhich represents a disc producer.

[0029] An eighteenth aspect of this invention is based on theseventeenth aspect thereof, and provides a recording disc which has adata area storing a musical program, the lead-in area storing ascrambled version of an ISRC code word which represents a source of themusical program.

[0030] A nineteenth aspect of this invention provides a recording dischaving a post cutting area storing a scrambled version of a SID codeword which represents a disc producer.

[0031] A twentieth aspect of this invention provides a recording dischaving a TOC area storing a scrambled version of a SID code word whichrepresents a disc producer.

[0032] A twenty-first aspect of this invention is based on theseventeenth aspect thereof, and provides a recording disc wherein thelead-in area stores a CGMCAPS code word.

[0033] A twenty-second aspect of this invention is based on theeighteenth aspect thereof, and provides a recording disc wherein thelead-in area stores a CGMCAPS code word.

[0034] A twenty-third aspect of this invention is based on thenineteenth aspect thereof, and provides a recording disc wherein thepost cutting area stores a CGMCAPS code word.

[0035] A twenty-fourth aspect of this invention is based on thetwentieth aspect thereof, and provides a recording disc wherein the TOCarea stores a CGMCAPS code word.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036]FIG. 1 is a diagram of the relation between sectors on a disc andrecorded information pieces according to a first embodiment of thisinvention.

[0037]FIG. 2 is a diagram of the relation between bytes and the contentsof copyright information in the first embodiment of this invention.

[0038]FIG. 3 is a diagram of the relation between bytes and the contentsof copyright management information in a second embodiment of thisinvention.

[0039]FIG. 4 is a diagram of the relation between bytes and the contentsof copyright management information in a third embodiment of thisinvention.

[0040]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a signal processing apparatusaccording to a fourth embodiment of this invention.

[0041]FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a master disc, a DVD makingapparatus, and a DVD-audio in the fourth embodiment of this invention.

[0042]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a disc player according to a fifthembodiment of this invention.

[0043]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of a control program for a CPUin FIG. 7.

[0044]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a disc player according to a sixthembodiment of this invention.

[0045]FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a segment of a control program for a CPUin FIG. 9.

[0046]FIG. 11 is a plan view of a recording disc according to a seventhembodiment of this invention.

[0047]FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an apparatus for writing copyrightinformation on a recording disc in the seventh embodiment of thisinvention.

[0048]FIG. 13 is a time-domain diagram of an output signal of acopyright encoder, a PE-RZ signal, and a bar code on a recording disc inthe seventh embodiment of this invention.

[0049]FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a disc player according to an eighthembodiment of this invention.

[0050]FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a segment of a control program for a CPUin FIG. 14.

[0051]FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a disc player according to a ninthembodiment of this invention.

[0052]FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a segment of a control program for a CPUin FIG. 16.

[0053]FIG. 18 is a diagram of a CD according to a tenth embodiment ofthis invention.

[0054]FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a signal processing apparatusaccording to an eleventh embodiment of this invention.

[0055]FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a master disc, a CD makingapparatus, and a CD in the eleventh embodiment of this invention.

[0056]FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a disc player according to a twelfthembodiment of this invention.

[0057]FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a segment of a control program for a CPUin FIG. 21.

[0058]FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a disc player according to athirteenth embodiment of this invention.

[0059]FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a segment of a control program for a CPUin FIG. 23.

[0060]FIG. 25 is a diagram of the relation among CGMCAPS code words,copy permission, and copy inhibition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

[0061] A DVD-audio (digital video disc audio) has a post cutting area(PCA), a lead-in area, a data area, and a lead-out area arranged in thatorder along a radially outward direction. The data area stores maininformation representing, for example, a musical program. The musicalprogram may be replaced by a computer game program or a video program.The lead-in area includes a control area.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 1, the control area has 16 sectors “1”, “2”, . .. , and “16” each having 2,048 bytes. Physical format information isrecorded on the sector “1”. Disc manufacture information is recorded onthe sector “2”. Copyright information (copyright management information)is recorded on the sectors “3” and “4”.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 2, a word of a 4-bit copy inhibition code isrecorded on the first byte of the sector “3” and also the first byte ofthe sector “4”. The copy inhibition code word is a portion of thecopyright information. The word “1000” of the copy inhibition codeindicates “copy inhibition”. The word “1100” of the copy inhibition codeindicates “copy permission”. The word “1010” of the copy inhibition codeindicates “permission of copy only once”.

[0064] In each of the sector “3” and the sector “4”, the second byte tothe eighteenth byte are assigned to a sync signal for scramble, a wordof an ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) for one title, and aword of a SID (source identification) code for one title. The syncsignal for scramble, the ISRC word, and the SID code word are portionsof the copyright information. The word of the ISRC indicates the sourceof a musical program represented by the main information. The word ofthe SID code indicates a disc producer or a disc manufacturer.Specifically, the second byte stores an 8-bit sync signal for scramblingan ISRC word and a SID code word. The third byte to the tenth byte storea scrambled version of a 60-bit ISRC word. The eleventh byte to theeighteenth byte store a scrambled version of a SID code wordcorresponding to eight letters or eight characters. Accordingly, thethird byte to the eighteenth byte (that is, 16 bytes) store thescrambled version of the ISRC word and the SID code word, for one title.

[0065] In each of the sector “3” and the sector “4”, the nineteenth byteand later bytes similarly store the, scrambled versions of ISRC wordsand SID code words. Specifically, the nineteenth byte and later bytesare grouped into 16-byte blocks each storing the scrambled version of anISRC word and the scrambled version of a SID code word for one title. Intotal, ISRC words and SID code words for 99 titles are recorded.

[0066] It should be noted that ISRC words may be directly recordedwithout being scrambled.

[0067] Each ISRC word indicates 12 characters or 12 letters. Regardingthe ISRC word, 6 bits are assigned to each of the first character to thefifth character while 4 bits are assigned to each of the sixth characterto the twelfth character. There are 6 bits corresponding to blanks.

[0068] It should be noted that a way of scrambling the ISRC words andthe SID code words may be similar to or different from a way ofscrambling a musical program recorded on the data area of the disc.

[0069] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of this invention issimilar to the first embodiment thereof except for design changesexplained later.

[0070] A DVD-audio (digital video disc audio) has a post cutting area(PCA), a lead-in area, a data area, and a lead-out area arranged in thatorder along a radially outward direction. The data area stores maininformation representing, for example, a musical program.

[0071] The lead-in area includes an area assigned to copyrightinformation, specifically copyright management information (CMI) havinga length variable in the range of 16 bytes (128 bits) to 188 bytes(1,504 bits).

[0072] As shown in FIG. 3, the CMI area stores 64-bit data indicatingthe date of the manufacture of the disc, a word of a 52-bit codeindicating a disc making factory, an 8.-bit sync signal for scramble, ascrambled version of a. 60-bit ISRC word for a first title, a scrambledversion of a 8-byte SID code word for the first title, and a word of a4-bit CGMCAPS (Copy Generation Management Control Audio ProtectionSystem) code for the first title. The CGMCAPS code word indicates thenumber of times of executed copy, that is, the number of copygenerations. The CMI area further stores scrambled versions of ISRCwords and SID code words, and CGMCAPS code words for second and latertitles. The previously-indicated information pieces stored in the CMIarea compose the copyright management information.

[0073] The lead-in area includes a control area (a control data area)which is previously made as a RAM area. The CMI area uses the RAM area,and the information assigned to the CMI area is recorded on the RAM areaduring the manufacture of the disc.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 25, the word “(1,1)” of the CGMCAPS codeindicates “copy prevention” or “copy inhibition” for ROM media and RAMmedia. The word “(1,0)” of the CGMCAPS code indicates “copy prevention”or “copy inhibition” for ROM media and RAM media. The word “(1,0,1)” ofthe CGMCAPS code indicates “copy prevention” or “copy inhibition” forROM media, and indicates “copy allowance” or “copy permission” for RAMmedia. The word “(0,0)” of the CGMCAPS code indicates “copy allowance”or “copy permission” for ROM media and RAM media.

Third Embodiment

[0075] A third embodiment of this invention is similar to the secondembodiment thereof except for design changes explained later.

[0076] A DVD-audio (digital video disc audio) has a post cutting area(PCA), a lead-in area, a data area, and a lead-out area arranged in thatorder along a radially outward direction. The data area stores maininformation representing, for example, a musical program.

[0077] The lead-in area includes an area assigned to copyrightinformation, specifically copyright management information (CMI) havinga length variable in the range of 16 bytes (128 bits) to 188 bytes(1,504 bits).

[0078] As shown in FIG. 4, the CMI area successively stores an 8-bitsync signal for scramble, a scrambled version of a 8-byte SID code wordfor one title, and an 8-byte dummy signal representing the date of themanufacture of the disc. Thus, on the disc, the SID code word isimmediately followed by the dummy signal of the disc manufacture date.

[0079] It should be noted that a scrambled version of the dummy signalmay be recorded.

Fourth Embodiment

[0080] With reference to FIG. 5, an analog audio signal representing amusical program is fed via an input terminal IN1 to an A/D converter 1.The A/D converter 1 changes the analog audio signal into a correspondingdigital audio signal. The A/D converter 1 outputs the digital audiosignal to a signal processor 2.

[0081] A memory 3 is connected to the signal processor 2. The signalprocessor 2 and the memory 3 cooperate to subject the digital audiosignal to given processes such as an emphasis process, an equalizingprocess, a noise gating process, and an effect process. The signalprocessor 2 outputs the process-resultant signal to a DVD encoder 4. Theoutput signal of the signal processor 2 contains the digital audiosignal representing the musical program.

[0082] Copyright information (copyright management information) is fedvia an input terminal IN2 to a copyright encoder 5. The copyrightencoder 5 subjects the copyright information to given processes such asa copyright encoding process and a scrambling process. The copyrightencoder 5 outputs the process-resultant signal to the DVD encoder 4. Theoutput signal of the copyright encoder 5 contains a scrambled version ofthe copyright information.

[0083] The DVD encoder 4 packs the output signal of the signal processor2 and the output signal of the copyright encoder 5 on a DVD encodingbasis so that the scrambled version of the copyright information can belocated in a disc lead-in area or a disc CMI area, and that the digitalaudio signal representing the musical program can be located in a discdata area. The DVD encoder 4 outputs the packing-resultant signal to amodulator 6.

[0084] The modulator 6 subjects the output signal of the DVD encoder 4to EFM modulation. The modulator 6 outputs the modulation-resultantsignal to a master making apparatus 7. The apparatus 7 makes a masterdisc 8 in response to the output signal of the modulator 6. The masterdisc 8 stores the output signal of the modulator 6.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 6, the master disc 8 is set in a DVD makingapparatus 9. The apparatus 9 makes DVD's-audio 10 on the basis of themaster disc 8. In each of the DVD's-audio 10, the scrambled version ofthe copyright information is recorded on a lead-in area or a CMI area ina manner equal to that in one of the first embodiment, the secondembodiment, and the third embodiment.

Fifth Embodiment

[0086] With reference to FIG. 7, a disc player includes a disc drive 12.The disc drive 12 has a tray 21 on which a disc 11 can be placed. Thetray 21 is provided with a lid 22. The disc drive 12 serves to read outa recorded signal from the disc 11 placed therein. The disc 11 is, forexample, a DVD-audio made according to the fourth embodiment. The discdrive 12 outputs the readout signal to a demodulator 13.

[0087] The demodulator 13 subjects the output signal of the disc drive12 to EFM demodulation. The demodulator 13 outputs thedemodulation-resultant signal to a DVD decoder 14A. The DVD decoder 14Aunpacks the output signal of the demodulator 13 on a DVD decoding basis,and separates the output signal of the demodulator 13 into a digitalaudio signal of a musical program and a scrambled version of copyrightinformation. The DVD decoder 14A outputs the digital audio signal to aD/A converter 15. The D/A converter 15 changes the digital audio signalinto a corresponding analog audio signal. Generally, the D/A converter15 feeds the analog audio signal to an audio apparatus (not shown) viaan output terminal 16. The audio apparatus converts the analog audiosignal into corresponding sound, thereby reproducing the musicalprogram.

[0088] The DVD decoder 14A outputs the scrambled version of thecopyright information to a copyright decoder 14B. The copyright decoder14B subjects the output signal of the DVD decoder 14A to given processessuch as a copyright decoding process and a de-scrambling process.Thereby, the copyright decoder 14B recovers the original copyrightinformation. The copyright decoder 14B outputs the recovered copyrightinformation to a CPU 18.

[0089] The CPU 18 includes a combination of an input/output port, aprocessing section, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU 18 operates in accordancewith a control program stored in the ROM. The CPU 18 is connected to thedisc drive 12, an input unit 19, a disc ejecting mechanism 20, and adisplay 23.

[0090] It should be noted that the CPU 18 may be replaced by amicrocomputer or a similar device.

[0091]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of the control program for theCPU 18 which is started when a disc 11 is set in position within thedisc drive 12. As shown in FIG. 8, a first step S1 of the controlprogram decides whether or not a playback start requirement is inputtedvia the input unit 19. When the playback start requirement is inputted,the program advances from the step S1 to a step S2. Otherwise, the stepS1 is repeated.

[0092] The step S2 controls the disc drive 12 so that the disc drive 12will read out a recorded signal from a lead-in area of the disc 11. Thereadout signal is converted into original copyright information(recovered copyright information) by the demodulator 13, the DVD decoder14A, and the copyright decoder 14B. The step S2 fetches the recoveredcopyright information from the copyright decoder 14B.

[0093] A step S3 following the step S2 extracts a SID code word (arecovered SID code word) from the recovered copyright information.

[0094] A step S4 subsequent to the step S3 collates the recovered SIDcode word with reference SID code words to decide whether the disc 11 islegitimate or pirated. When the recovered SID code word agrees with oneof the reference SID code words, that is, when the disc 11 is decided tobe legitimate, the program advances from the step S4 to a step S5. Whenthe recovered SID code word agrees with none of the reference SID codewords, that is, when the disc 11 is decided to be pirated, the programadvances from the step S4 to a step S7.

[0095] The step S5 extracts a copy inhibition code word from therecovered copyright information. The step S5 decides whether or not thecopy inhibition code word indicates “copy inhibition”. When the copyinhibition code word does not indicate “copy inhibition”, the programadvances from the step S5 to a block S6. When the copy inhibition codeword indicates “copy inhibition”, the program advances from the step S5to a step S8.

[0096] In the absence of the copy inhibition code word, the step S5extracts a CGMCAPS code word from the recovered copyright information.The step S5 decides whether or not the number of times of executed copywhich is represented by the CGMCAPS code word reaches an upper limitnumber (a predetermined reference number). When the number of times ofexecuted copy reaches the upper limit number, the program advances fromthe step S5 to the step S8. When the number of times of executed copydoes not reach the upper limit number, the program advances from thestep S5 to the block S6. In this case, the step S5 may increment thenumber of times of executed copy by “1”, and correspondingly update theCGMCAPS code word in the disc 11 by use of a recording apparatus (notshown) for accessing a RAM area of the disc 11.

[0097] The block S6 controls the disc drive 12 so that the disc drive 12will read out a recorded signal from a data area of the disc 11. Thereadout signal is converted into an analog audio signal (a recoveredanalog audio signal) by the demodulator 13, the DVD decoder 14A, and theD/A converter 15. The recovered analog audio signal which represents amusical program is transmitted from the D/A converter 15 to an audioapparatus via the output terminal 16. In this way, the block S6implements playback of the musical program. After the block S6, thecurrent execution cycle of the control program segment ends.

[0098] The step S7 suspends operation of the disc drive 12. Then, thestep S7 activates the disc ejecting mechanism 20 to eject the disc 11from the disc drive 12. After the step S7, the program advances to thestep S8.

[0099] The step S8 controls the display 23 so that “playback impossible”will be indicated thereon. After the step S8, the current executioncycle of the control program segment ends.

Sixth Embodiment

[0100] With reference to FIG. 9, a disc player includes a disc drive 12.The disc drive 12 serves to read out a recorded signal from a disc 11placed therein. The disc 11 is, for example, a DVD-audio made accordingto the fourth embodiment. The disc drive 12 outputs the readout signalto a demodulator 13.

[0101] The demodulator 13 subjects the output signal of the disc drive12 to EFM demodulation. The demodulator 13 outputs thedemodulation-resultant signal to a DVD decoder 14A. The DVD decoder 14Aunpacks the output signal of the demodulator 13 on a DVD decoding basis,and separates the output signal of the demodulator 13 into a digitalaudio signal of a musical program and a scrambled version of copyrightinformation. The DVD decoder 14A outputs the digital audio signal to aD/A converter 15. The D/A converter 15 changes the digital audio signalinto a corresponding analog audio signal. Generally, the D/A converter15 feeds the analog audio signal to an audio apparatus (not shown) viaan output terminal 16. The audio apparatus converts the analog audiosignal into corresponding sound, thereby reproducing the musicalprogram.

[0102] The DVD decoder 14A outputs the scrambled version of thecopyright information to a copyright decoder 14B. The copyright decoder14B subjects the output signal of the DVD decoder 14A to given processessuch as a copyright decoding process and a de-scrambling process.Thereby, the copyright decoder 14B recovers the original copyrightinformation. The copyright decoder 14B outputs the recovered copyrightinformation to a CPU 18A.

[0103] The CPU 18A includes a combination of an input/output port, aprocessing section, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU 18A operates in accordancewith a control program stored in the ROM. The CPU 18A is connected tothe disc drive 12, an input unit 19, and a display 23.

[0104] It should be noted that the CPU 18A may be replaced by amicrocomputer or a similar device.

[0105]FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a segment of the control program for theCPU 18A which is started when a disc 11 is set in position within thedisc drive 12. As shown in FIG. 10, a first step S11 of the controlprogram decides whether or not a playback start requirement is inputtedvia the input unit 19. When the playback start requirement is inputted,the program advances from the step S11 to a step S12. Otherwise, thestep S11 is repeated.

[0106] The step S12 controls the disc drive 12 so that the disc drive 12will read out a recorded signal from a lead-in area of the disc 11. Thereadout signal is converted into original copyright information(recovered copyright information) by the demodulator 13, the DVD decoder14A, and the copyright decoder 14B. The step S12 fetches the recoveredcopyright information from the copyright decoder 14B.

[0107] A step S13 following the step S12 extracts a SID code word (arecovered SID code word) from the recovered copyright information.

[0108] A step S14 subsequent to the step S13 collates the recovered SIDcode word with reference SID code words to decide whether the disc 11 islegitimate or pirated. When the recovered SID code word agrees with oneof the reference SID code words, that is, when the disc 11 is decided tobe legitimate, the program advances from the step S14 to a step S15.When the recovered SID code word agrees with none of the reference SIDcode words, that is, when the disc 11 is decided to be pirated, theprogram advances from the step S14 to a block S17.

[0109] The step S15 extracts a copy inhibition code word from therecovered copyright information. The step S15 decides whether or not thecopy inhibition code word indicates “copy inhibition”. When the copyinhibition code word does not indicate “copy inhibition”, the programadvances from the step S15 to a block S16. When the copy inhibition codeword indicates “copy inhibition”, the program advances from the step S15to a step S18.

[0110] The block S16 controls the disc drive 12 so that the disc drive12 will read out a recorded signal from a data area of the disc 11. Thereadout signal is converted into an analog audio signal (a recoveredanalog audio signal) by the demodulator 13, the DVD decoder 14A, and theD/A converter 15. The recovered analog audio signal which represents amusical program is transmitted from the D/A converter 15 to an audioapparatus via the output terminal 16. In this way, the block S16implements playback of the musical program. After the block S16, thecurrent execution cycle of the control program segment ends.

[0111] The block S17 controls the disc drive 12 so that the disc drive12 will read out the recorded signal from the data area of the disc 11only during a given limited time. The given limited time is equal to,for example, about 1 second. The readout signal is converted into ananalog audio signal (a recovered analog audio signal) by the demodulator13, the DVD decoder 14A, and the D/A converter 15. The recovered analogaudio signal which represents a limited portion of the musical programis transmitted from the DI/A converter 15 to the audio apparatus via theoutput terminal 16. In this way, the block S17 implements playback ofthe limited portion of the musical program. In other words, the blockS17 implements playback of the musical program during only the limitedtime (for example, about 1 second). The playback of the musical programfor the limited time is to inform the user that the disc 11 is notdefective. Then, the block S17 suspends operation of the disc drive 12.After the block S17, the program advances to the step S18.

[0112] The step S18 controls the display 23 so that “playbackimpossible” will be indicated thereon. After the step S18, the currentexecution cycle of the control program segment ends.

Seventh Embodiment

[0113] With reference to FIG. 11, a recording disc 11A such as aDVD-audio has a post cutting area (PCA) 11B extending inward of alead-in area. The recording disc 11A also has a data area on which maininformation (a musical program) is recorded. After a stamping process iscompleted, a scrambled version of copyright information (copyrightmanagement information) is recorded on the post cutting area 11B of therecording disc 11A as follows.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 12, a copyright encoder 5 receives copyrightinformation. The copyright encoder 5 subjects the copyright informationto given processes such as a copyright encoding process and a scramblingprocess. The copyright encoder 5 outputs the process-resultant signal toa signal converter 5A. The output signal of the copyright encoder 5contains a scrambled version of the copyright information.

[0115] The signal converter 5A changes the output signal of thecopyright encoder 5 into a PE-RZ (phase-encoding return-to-zero) signal.Thus, the signal converter 5A is a PE-RZ modulator. The signal converter5A outputs the PE-RZ signal to a laser cutting machine 7A.

[0116] The laser cutting machine 7A modulates a laser beam in accordancewith the PE-RZ signal. The laser cutting machine 7A applies themodulation-resultant laser beam to the recording disc 11A while rotatingthe recording disc 11A. Thereby, the laser cutting machine 7A writes abar-code pattern on the post cutting area 11B of the recording disc 11A.The bar-code pattern corresponds to the PE-RZ signal which contains thescrambled version of the copyright information.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 13, the PE-RZ signal outputted from the signalconverter 5A is of the return-to-zero type. The PE-RZ signal is of thephase-encoding type. Specifically, the phase of the PE-RZ signal dependson whether every bit of the output signal of the copyright encoder 5 is“1” or “0”. Portions of a reflecting film, which are exposed to themodulation-resultant laser light beam corresponding to the PE-RZ signalbeing “1”, are removed from the post cutting area 11B of the recordingdisc 11A. Accordingly, these portions form low-reflectivity strips onthe post cutting area 11B of the recording disc 11A. On the other hand,portions of the reflecting film, which are exposed to themodulation-resultant laser light beam corresponding to the PE-RZ signalbeing “0”, remain on the post cutting area 11B of the recording disc11A. Accordingly, these portions form high-reflectivity zones on thepost cutting area 11B of the recording disc 11A. In this way, a bar-codepattern corresponding to the PE-RZ signal is written on the post cuttingarea 11B of the recording disc 11A.

[0118] The contents of the copyright information are similar to thecontents of the copyright information in the first embodiment. Thecontents of the copyright information may be similar to the contents ofthe copyright management information in the second embodiment or thecontents of the copyright management information in the secondembodiment.

Eighth Embodiment

[0119]FIG. 14 shows an eighth embodiment of this invention which issimilar to the fifth embodiment (FIGS. 7 and 8) thereof except fordesign changes indicated hereinafter. The embodiment of FIG. 14 isdesigned to reproduce information from a disc 11A in the seventhembodiment. The embodiment of FIG. 14 includes a signal converter 14Cbetween the demodulator 13 and the copyright decoder 14B. The embodimentof FIG. 14 uses a CPU 18B instead of the CPU 18 in FIG. 7.

[0120] The signal converter 14C receives the demodulation-resultantsignal from the demodulator 13 which agrees with a PE-RZ signalcontaining a scrambled version of copyright information. The signalconverter 14C decodes the PE-RZ signal, and outputs thedecoding-resultant signal to the copyright decoder 14B. The signalconverter 14C is a PE-RZ signal demodulator.

[0121] The copyright decoder 14B subjects the output signal of thesignal converter 14C to given processes such as a copyright decodingprocess and a de-scrambling process. Thereby, the copyright decoder 14Brecovers the original copyright information. The copyright decoder 14Boutputs the recovered copyright information to the CPU 18B.

[0122]FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a segment of a control program for theCPU 18B which is started when a disc 11A is set in position within thedisc drive 12. The control program segment in FIG. 15 includes a stepS2A instead of the step S2 in FIG. 8.

[0123] The step S2A controls the disc drive 12 so that the disc drive 12will read out a recorded signal from a post cutting area of the disc11A. The readout signal is converted into original copyright information(recovered copyright information) by the demodulator 13, the signalconverter 14C, and the copyright decoder 14B. The step S2A fetches therecovered copyright information from the copyright decoder 14B.

Ninth Embodiment

[0124]FIG. 16 shows a ninth embodiment of this invention which issimilar to the sixth embodiment (FIGS. 9 and 10) thereof except fordesign changes indicated hereinafter. The embodiment of FIG. 16 isdesigned to reproduce information from a disc 11A in the seventhembodiment. The embodiment of FIG. 16 includes a signal converter 14Cbetween the demodulator 13 and the copyright decoder 14B. The embodimentof FIG. 16 uses a CPU 18C instead of the CPU 18A in FIG. 9.

[0125] The signal converter 14C receives the demodulation-resultantsignal from the demodulator 13 which agrees with a PE-RZ signalcontaining a scrambled version of copyright information. The signalconverter 14C decodes the PE-RZ signal, and outputs thedecoding-resultant signal to the copyright decoder 14B. The signalconverter 14C is a PE-RZ signal demodulator.

[0126] The copyright decoder 14B subjects the output signal of thesignal converter 14C to given processes such as a copyright decodingprocess and a de-scrambling process. Thereby, the copyright decoder 14Brecovers the original copyright information. The copyright decoder 14Boutputs the recovered copyright information to the CPU 18C.

[0127]FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a segment of a control program for theCPU 18C which is started when a disc 11A is set in position within thedisc drive 12. The control program segment in FIG. 17 includes a stepS12A instead of the step S12 in FIG. 10.

[0128] The step S12A controls the disc drive 12 so that the disc drive12 will read out a recorded signal from a post cutting area of the disc11A. The readout signal is converted into original copyright information(recovered copyright information) by the demodulator 13, the signalconverter 14C, and the copyright decoder 14B. The step S12A fetches therecovered copyright information from the copyright decoder 14B.

Tenth Embodiment

[0129] With reference to FIG. 18, a CD (compact disc) 11C has a TOC(table of contents) area which stores TOC information and also copyrightinformation. The copyright information is similar to that in FIG. 4. Thecopyright information may be similar to that in FIG. 3. The CD 11C has adata area on which main information is recorded. The main informationrepresents, for example, a musical program. The musical program may bereplaced by a computer game program or a video program.

[0130] The CD 11C is one among a normal CD, an enhanced CD, and aCD-ROM.

Eleventh Embodiment

[0131]FIG. 19 shows an eleventh embodiment of this invention which issimilar to the fourth embodiment (FIG. 5) thereof except for designchanges indicated hereinafter. The embodiment of FIG. 19 includes a CDencoder 4A instead of the DVD encoder 4 in FIG. 5. The CD encoder 4A isone among a normal-CD encoder, an enhanced-CD encoder, and a CD-ROMencoder.

[0132] The CD encoder 4A formats or encodes the output signal of thesignal processor 2 and the output signal of the copyright encoder 5 sothat the scrambled version of copyright information will be located in adisc TOC area, and that a digital audio signal representing a musicalprogram will be located in a disc data area. The CD encoder 4A outputsthe encoding-resultant signal to the modulator 6.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 20, the master disc 8 is set in a CD makingapparatus 9A. The apparatus 9A makes CD's 10A on the basis of the masterdisc 8. In each of the CD's 10A, the scrambled version of the copyrightinformation is recorded on a TOC area in accordance with the tenthembodiment.

Twelfth Embodiment

[0134]FIG. 21 shows a twelfth embodiment of this invention which issimilar to the fifth embodiment (FIGS. 7 and 8) except for designchanges indicated hereinafter. The embodiment of FIG. 21 includes a discdrive 12A instead of the disc drive 12 in FIG. 7. The disc drive 12A isdesigned to operate on a CD 11C in the tenth embodiment (FIG. 18). Theembodiment of FIG. 21 includes a CD decoder 14D instead of the DVDdecoder 14A in FIG. 7. The embodiment of FIG. 21 includes a CPU 18Dinstead of the CPU 18 in FIG. 7. The CD decoder 14D is one among anormal-CD decoder, an enhanced-CD decoder, and a CD-ROM decoder.

[0135] The disc drive 12A serves to read out a recorded signal from theCD 11C placed therein. The disc drive 12A outputs the readout signal tothe demodulator 13. The CD decoder 14D de-formats or decodes the outputsignal of the demodulator 13, and separates the output signal of thedemodulator 13 into a digital audio signal of a musical program and ascrambled version of copyright information. The CD decoder 14D outputsthe digital audio signal to the D/A converter 15. The CD decoder 14D mayfeed the digital audio signal to an external apparatus such as apersonal computer via an output terminal 31.

[0136] The CD decoder 14D outputs the scrambled version of the copyrightinformation to the copyright decoder 14B. The copyright decoder 14Bsubjects the output signal of the CD decoder 14D to given processes suchas a copyright decoding process and a de-scrambling process. Thereby,the copyright decoder 14B recovers the original copyright information.The copyright decoder 14B outputs the recovered copyright information tothe CPU 18D.

[0137]FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a segment of a control program for theCPU 18D which is started when a CD 11C is set in position within thedisc drive 12A. As shown in FIG. 22, a first step S1 of the controlprogram decides whether or not a playback start requirement is inputtedvia the input unit 19. When the playback start requirement is inputted,the program advances from the step S1 to a step S2B. Otherwise, the stepS1 is repeated.

[0138] The step S2B controls the disc drive 12A so that the disc drive12A will read out a recorded signal from a TOC area of the CD 11C. Thereadout signal is converted into original copyright information(recovered copyright information) by the demodulator 13, the CD decoder14D, and the copyright decoder 14B. The step S2A fetches the recoveredcopyright information from the copyright decoder 14B.

[0139] A step S3 following the step S2B extracts a SID code word (arecovered SID code word) from the recovered copyright information.

[0140] A step S4 subsequent to the step S3 collates the recovered SIDcode word with reference SID code words to decide whether the CD 11C islegitimate or pirated. When the recovered SID code word agrees with oneof the reference SID code words, that is, when the CD 11C is decided tobe legitimate, the program advances from the step S4 to a block S6. Whenthe recovered SID code word agrees with none of the reference SID codewords, that is, when the CD 11C is decided to be pirated, the programadvances from the step S4 to a step S7.

[0141] The block S6 controls the disc drive 12A so that the disc drive12A will read out a recorded signal from a data area of the CD 11C. Thereadout signal is converted into an analog audio signal (a recoveredanalog audio signal) by the demodulator 13, the CD decoder 14D, and theD/A converter 15. The recovered analog audio signal which represents amusical program is transmitted from the D/A converter 15 to an audioapparatus via the output terminal 16. In this way, the block S6implements playback of the musical program. After the block S6, thecurrent execution cycle of the control program segment ends.

[0142] The step S7 suspends operation of the disc drive 12A. Then, thestep S7 activates the disc ejecting mechanism 20 to eject the CD 11Cfrom the disc drive 12A. After the step S7, the program advances to astep S8.

[0143] The step S8 controls the display 23 so that “playback impossible”will be indicated thereon. After the step S8, the current executioncycle of the control program segment ends.

Thirteenth Embodiment

[0144]FIG. 23 shows a thirteenth embodiment of this invention which issimilar to the sixth embodiment (FIGS. 9 and 10) except for designchanges indicated hereinafter. The embodiment of FIG. 23 includes a discdrive 12A instead of the disc drive 12 in FIG. 9. The disc drive 12A isdesigned to operate on a CD 11C in the tenth embodiment (FIG. 18). Theembodiment of FIG. 23 includes a CD decoder 14D instead of the DVDdecoder 14A in FIG. 9. The embodiment of FIG. 23 includes a CPU 18Einstead of the CPU 18A in FIG. 9. The CD decoder 14D is one among anormal-CD decoder, an-enhanced-CD decoder, and a CD-ROM decoder.

[0145] The disc drive 12A serves to read out a recorded signal from theCD 11C placed therein. The disc drive 12A outputs the readout signal tothe demodulator 13. The CD decoder 14D de-formats or decodes the outputsignal of the demodulator 13, and separates the output signal of thedemodulator 13 into a digital audio signal of a musical program and ascrambled version of copyright information. The CD decoder 14D outputsthe digital audio signal to the D/A converter 15. The CD decoder 14D mayfeed the digital audio signal to an external apparatus such as apersonal computer via an output terminal 31.

[0146] The CD decoder 14D outputs the scrambled version of the copyrightinformation to the copyright decoder 14B. The copyright decoder 14Bsubjects the output signal of the CD decoder 14D to given processes suchas a copyright decoding process and a de-scrambling process. Thereby,the copyright decoder 14B recovers the original copyright information.The copyright decoder 14B outputs the recovered copyright information tothe CPU 18E.

[0147]FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a segment of a control program for theCPU 18E which is started when a CD 11C is set in position within thedisc drive 12A. As shown in FIG. 24, a first step S11 of the controlprogram decides whether or not a playback start requirement is inputtedvia the input unit 19. When the playback start requirement is inputted,the program advances from the step S11 to a step S12B. Otherwise, thestep S1 is repeated.

[0148] The step S12B controls the disc drive 12A so that the disc drive12A will read out a recorded signal from a TOC area of the CD 11C. Thereadout signal is converted into original copyright information(recovered copyright information) by the demodulator 13, the CD decoder14D, and the copyright decoder 14B. The step S12B fetches the recoveredcopyright information from the copyright decoder 14B.

[0149] A step S13 following the step S12B extracts a SID code word (arecovered SID code word) from the recovered copyright information.

[0150] A step S14 subsequent to the step S13 collates the recovered SIDcode word with reference SID code words to decide whether the CD 11C islegitimate or pirated. When the recovered SID code word agrees with oneof the reference SID code words, that is, when the CD 11C is decided tobe legitimate, the program advances from the step S14 to a block S16′.When the recovered SID code word agrees with none of the reference SIDcode words, that is, when the CD 11C is decided to be pirated, theprogram advances from the step S14 to a block S17.

[0151] The block S16 controls the disc drive 12A so that the disc drive12A will read out a recorded signal from a data area of the CD 11C. Thereadout signal is converted into an analog audio signal (a recoveredanalog audio signal) by the demodulator 13, the CD decoder 14D, and theD/A converter 15. The recovered analog audio signal which represents amusical program is transmitted from the D/A converter 15 to an audioapparatus via the output terminal 16. In this way, the block S16implements playback of the musical program. After the block S16, thecurrent execution cycle of the control program segment ends.

[0152] The block S17 controls the disc drive 12A so that the disc drive12A will read out the recorded signal from the data area of the CD 11Conly during a given limited time. The given limited time is equal to,for example, about 1 second. The readout signal is converted into ananalog audio signal (a recovered analog audio signal) by the demodulator13, the CD decoder 14D, and the D/A converter 15. The recovered analogaudio signal which represents a limited portion of the musical programis transmitted from the D/A converter 15 to the audio apparatus via theoutput terminal 16. In this way, the block S17 implements playback ofthe limited portion of the musical program. In other words, the blockS17 implements playback of the musical program during only the limitedtime (for example, about 1 second). The playback of the musical programfor the limited time is to inform the user that the CD 11C is notdefective. Then, the block S17 suspends operation of the disc drive 12A.After the block S17, the program advances to a step S18.

[0153] The step S18 controls the display 23 so that “playbackimpossible” will be indicated thereon. After the step S18, the currentexecution cycle of the control program segment ends.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of reproducing information from arecording disc having a lead-in area and a data area, comprising thesteps of: reading out a scrambled version of a SID code word from thelead-in area of the disc, the SID code word representing a producer ofthe disc; de-scrambling the readout scrambled version to recover the SIDcode word; collate the recovered SID code word with reference SID codewords to decide whether or not the disc is legitimate; reading out maininformation from the data area of the disc when it is decided that thedisc is legitimate; and inhibiting readout of the main information fromthe data area of the disc when it is decided that the disc is notlegitimate.
 2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising thesteps of: reading out a copy inhibition code word from the lead-in areaof the disc; deciding whether or not the readout copy inhibition codeword indicates copy inhibition; and inhibiting readout of the maininformation from the data area of the disc in cases where the readoutcopy inhibition code word indicates the copy inhibition even though itis decided that the disc is legitimate.
 3. A method of reproducinginformation from a recording disc having a post cutting area and a dataarea, comprising the steps of: reading out a scrambled version of a SIDcode word from the post cutting area of the disc, the SID code wordrepresenting a producer of the disc; de-scrambling the readout scrambledversion to recover the SID code word; collating the recovered SID codeword with reference SID code words to decide whether or not the disc islegitimate; reading out main information from the data area of the discwhen it is decided that the disc is legitimate; and inhibiting readoutof the main information from the data area of the disc when it isdecided that the disc is not legitimate.
 4. A method of reproducinginformation from a recording disc having a TOC area and a data area,comprising the steps of: reading out a scrambled version of a SID codeword from the TOC area of the disc, the SID code word representing aproducer of the disc; de-scrambling the readout scrambled version torecover the SID code word; collating the recovered SID code word withreference SID code words to decide whether or not the disc islegitimate; reading out main information from the data area of the discwhen it is decided that the disc is legitimate; and inhibiting readoutof the main information from the data area of the disc when it isdecided that the disc is not legitimate.
 5. An apparatus for reproducinginformation from a recording disc having a lead-in area and a data area,comprising: first means for reading out a scrambled version of a SIDcode word from the lead-in area of the disc, the SID code wordrepresenting a producer of the disc; second means for de-scrambling thescrambled version read out by the first means to recover the SID codeword; third means for collating the SID code word recovered by thesecond means with reference SID code words to decide whether or not thedisc is legitimate; fourth means for reading out main information fromthe data area of the disc when the third means decides that the disc islegitimate; and fifth means for inhibiting readout of the maininformation from the data area of the disc when the third means decidesthat the disc is not legitimate.
 6. An apparatus as recited in claim 5,further comprising: sixth means for reading out a copy inhibition codeword from the lead-in area of the disc; seventh means for decidingwhether or not the copy inhibition code word read out by the sixth meansindicates copy inhibition; and eighth means for inhibiting readout ofthe main information from the data area of the disc in cases where theseventh means decides that the copy inhibition code word indicates thecopy inhibition even though the third means decides that the disc islegitimate.
 7. An apparatus for reproducing information from a recordingdisc having a post cutting area and a data area, comprising: first meansfor reading out a scrambled version of a SID code word from the postcutting area of the disc, the SID code word representing a producer ofthe disc; second means for de-scrambling the scrambled version read outby the first means to recover the SID code word; third means forcollating the SID code word recovered by the second means with referenceSID code words to decide whether or not the disc is legitimate; fourthmeans for reading out main information from the data area of the discwhen the third means decides that the disc is legitimate; and fifthmeans for inhibiting readout of the main information from the data areaof the disc when the third means decides that the disc is notlegitimate.
 8. An apparatus for reproducing information from a recordingdisc having a TOC area and a data area, comprising: first means forreading out a scrambled version of a SID code word from the TOC area ofthe disc, the SID code word representing a producer of the disc; secondmeans for de-scrambling the scrambled version read out by the firstmeans to recover the SID code word; third means for collating the SIDcode word recovered by the second means with reference SID code words todecide whether or not the disc is legitimate; fourth means for readingout main information from the data area of the disc when the third meansdecides that the disc is legitimate; and fifth means for inhibitingreadout of the main information from the data area of the disc when thethird means decides that the disc is not legitimate.
 9. A method ofrecording copyright information on a recording disc, comprising thesteps of: scrambling a SID code word into a scrambled version, the SIDcode word representing a producer of the disc; and recording thescrambled version of the SID code word on a lead-in area of the disc.10. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the steps of:scrambling an ISRC code word into a scrambled version, the ISRC codeword representing a source of a program recorded on the disc; andrecording the scrambled version of the ISRC code word on the lead-inarea of the disc.
 11. A method of recording copyright information on arecording disc, comprising the steps of: scrambling a SID code word intoa scrambled version, the SID code word representing a producer of thedisc; and writing the scrambled version of the SID code word on the discby laser cutting.
 12. A method of recording copyright information on arecording disc, comprising the steps of: scrambling a SID code word intoa scrambled version, the SID code word representing a producer of thedisc; and recording the scrambled version of the SID code word on a TOCarea of the disc.
 13. An apparatus for recording copyright informationon a recording disc, comprising: first means for scrambling a SID codeword into a scrambled version, the SID code word representing a producerof the disc; and second means for recording the scrambled version of theSID code word on a lead-in area of the disc.
 14. An apparatus as recitedin claim 13, further comprising: third means for scrambling an ISRC codeword into a scrambled version, the ISRC code word representing a sourceof a program recorded on the disc; and fourth means for recording thescrambled version of the ISRC code word on the lead-in area of the disc.15. An apparatus for recording copyright information on a recordingdisc, comprising: first means for scrambling a SID code word into ascrambled version, the SID code word representing a producer of thedisc; and second means for writing the scrambled version of the SID codeword on the disc by laser cutting.
 16. An apparatus for recordingcopyright information on a recording disc, comprising: first means forscrambling a SID code word into a scrambled version, the SID code wordrepresenting a producer of the disc; and second means for recording thescrambled version of the SID code word on a TOC area of the disc.
 17. Arecording disc having a lead-in area storing a scrambled version of aSID code word which represents a disc producer.
 18. A recording disc asrecited in claim 17, which has a data area storing a musical program,the lead-in area storing a scrambled version of an ISRC code word whichrepresents a source of the musical program.
 19. A recording disc havinga post cutting area storing a scrambled version of a SID code word whichrepresents a disc producer.
 20. A recording disc having a TOC areastoring a scrambled version of a SID code word which represents a discproducer.
 21. A recording disc as recited in claim 17, wherein thelead-in area stores a CGMCAPS code word.
 22. A recording disc as recitedin claim 18, wherein the lead-in area stores a CGMCAPS code word.
 23. Arecording disc as recited in claim 19, wherein the post cutting areastores a CGMCAPS code word.
 24. A recording disc as recited in claim 20,wherein the TOC area stores a CGMCAPS code word.